A master complaint, consolidating some 80 pending concussion-related lawsuits against the NFL, was filed in federal court in Philadelphia today.

The complaint reads in part:

“The NFL, like the sport of boxing, was aware of the health risks associated with repetitive blows producing sub-concussive and concussive results and the fact that some members of the NFL player population were at significant risk of developing long-term brain damage and cognitive decline as a result.

“Despite its knowledge and controlling role in governing player conduct on and off the field, the NFL turned a blind eye to the risk and failed to warn and/or impose safety regulations governing this well-recognized health and safety problem.”

The league responded as follows:

“Our legal team will review today’s filing that is intended to consolidate plaintiffs’ existing claims into one ‘master’ complaint. The NFL has long made player safety a priority and continues to do so. Any allegation that the NFL sought to mislead players has no merit. It stands in contrast to the league’s many actions to better protect players and advance the science and medical understanding of the management and treatment of concussions.”